CHAPTER I.

I. General Aspect.
Singular beauty of the island
Its ancient renown in consequence
Fable of its “perfumed winds”
(note)
Character of the sceneryii. Geographical Position
Ancient views regarding it amongst the
Hindus,—­“the Meridian of
Lanka”
Buddhist traditions of former submersions
(note)
Errors as to the dimensions of Ceylon
Opinions of Onesicritus, Eratosthenes,
Strabo, Pliny, Ptolemy,
Agathemerus 8,
The Arabian geographers
Sumatra supposed to be Ceylon (note)
True latitude and longitude
General Eraser’s map of Ceylon (note)
Geological formation
Adam’s Bridge
Error of supposing Ceylon to be a detached
fragment of Indiaiii. The Mountain System
Remarkable hills, Mihintala and Sigiri
Little evidence of volcanic action
Rocks, gneiss
Rock temples
Laterite or “Cabook”
Ancient name Tamba-panni (note)
Coral formation
Extraordinary wells
Darwin’s theory of coral wells examined
(note)
The soil of Ceylon generally poor
“Patenas,” their phenomena
obscure
Rice lands between the hills
Soil of the plains, “Talawas”
IV. Metals.—­Tin
Gold, nickel, cobalt
Quicksilver (note)
Iron
V. Minerals.—­Anthracite, plumbago, kaolin,
nitre caves
List of Ceylon minerals (note)vi. Gems, ancient fame of
Rose-coloured quartz (note)
Mode of searching for gems
Rubies
Sapphire, topaz, garnet, and cinnamon
stone, cat’s-eye, amethyst,
moonstone 37,
Diamond not found in Ceylon (note)
Gem-finders and lapidariesvii. Rivers.—­Their character
The Mahawelli-ganga
Table of the riversviii. Singular coast formation, and its
causes
The currents and their influence
Word “Gobb” explained (note)
Vegetation of the sand formations
Their suitability for the coconutix. Harbours.—­Galle and Trincomalie
Tides
Red infusoria
Population of Ceylon

CHAP. II.

Climate.—­Healthanddisease.

Uniformity of temperature
Brilliancy of foliage
Colombo.—­January—­long shore
wind
February—­cold nights (note)
March, April
May—­S.W. monsoon
Aspect of the country before it
Lightning
Rain, its violence
June
July and August, September, October,
November. N.E. monsoon
December
Annual quantity of rain in Ceylon and Hindustan (note)
Opposite climates of the same mountain
Climate of Galle
Kandy and its climate
Mists and hail
Climate of Trincomalie (text and note)
Jaffna and its climate
Waterspouts
Anthelia
Buddha rays
Ceylon as a sanatarium.—­Neuera-ellia
Health
Malaria
Food and wine 76,
Effects of the climate of Ceylon on disease
Precautions for health